This past spring while teaching a language and literacy course, my students revealed that they read very little in high school and wrote few papers. I was astonished by this as I attended a Christian school wayyyy back over yonder and reading “classics” amongst other works, and becoming skilled in both the MLA and APA styles was a part of our curriculum.
One of my students who excelled in the language and literacy course shared that the syllabus initially overwhelmed her because she had only read two books from beginning to end and written only two papers in high school.
Shocking, right?
The good thing is that she shared how the LTVD (Learning Through Virtual Discussion) Framework had helped her focus on the articles and chapters that were assigned. To her surprise, she learned so much from them.
I was ecstatic because I knew how she felt.
Although, reading and writing was a part my education as a high school student and undergraduate, it wasn’t until graduate school, when Dr. Ann Duffy introduced me to the LTD (Learning Through Discussion) process that I really began to see authors as human beings and their work as something truly valuable.
As a result, I began using the LTD in my courses. It was created by Dr. William Fawcett Hill for F2F group discussions. It is nothing but pure genius and is what I have found to be the most comprehensive strategy for challenging students on all levels from all backgrounds.
I have modified it for the virtual classroom and even used it to create thematic units in my language and literacy, and assessment and evaluation courses.
I call it the LTVD.
My students find it very challenging at first because it pushes them to use their higher-order thinking skills and to be immersed in metacognition.
This week, I want to introduce you to the LTVD. Below, I have included a 4-Minute Overview of the eight steps that make-up this amazing framework. This video is a part of Module 2 of my course entitled, Learning Through Virtual Discussion Mini-Course: Eight Steps to Dynamic Discussions Online. If this video piques your interest, enter your contact information and receive the rest of Module 2 absolutely free.